Today I recieved my senior portraits in the mail! For the casual portraits, I chose to wear lolita. 🙂 I actually wore my yellow vintage skirt from Savannah, GA. and my off white ruffle blouse from Forever21. I also took my white lace parasol for my prop. In retrospect, I wish I had taken my leather bound Lewis Carol collection as a prop as well, but I hadn’t thought of it. I think the photos came out wonderful. 🙂

Since my last post, I’ve also coloured my hair. I don’t have any photos to put up yet, but I will. What colour you ask? Black! Jet black, with a kind of modified Hime cut 😀 I love it.
Until next time,
*kisses*
Princess Raelynn

For as long as I’ve been into Lolita and Princess Styles, I’ve been working on getting together a brand of my own (called Belle la Vie), handmade, jewelry. (and maybe later clothes?) I’ve gotten more so dedicated to this goal recently! 🙂 My newest idea are fairytale themes. Apples, roses, books, etc. I’ve dabbled with cupcakes and candies, but they seem so done to me. They’re everywhere, aren’t they? Of course all of these things are just in toddler stages (and growing steadily!), but I wanted to knwo if anyone wanted to give some feedback?

Other then that, just wanted an update to say I am a live, getting ready for school, and working on something that I’ll reveal to ya’ll soon 🙂
*kisses*
Princess Raelynn

“IDC if it’s your religion, it’s ugly.”
Generally that’s what I’ve been seeing on Lolita Secrets. It. Sickens. Me. I understand stateing a point and giving criticism. Isn’t that what so many Lolitas look for online, criticism? But saying that an outfit is ugly, especially dissing a religion? I say that is over stepping a line. I’ll be the first to admitt that a head wrap looks different and, if not in the right colour, can look not-so-great, but it’s not my place to say that it’s ugly. I honestly think many girls in the pictures I’ve seen can pull it off rather well (see above for example.)
I’ve also seen the argument “Lolita is fashion, not religion.” the Get-your-religion-out-of-my-Lolita arguement. That too bugs me. Yes, Lolita is fashion. The head wrap (I only use this example because I’ve seen the most drama about it) isn’t fashion. These beautiful women are not adding it as an accessory, they’d wear it at any other time as well. It is part of who they are. What is Lolita if not a way to express yourself? What is any fashion if you cannot express yourself as who you are? Would we attack a Jewish person for wearing a star of david with Lolita? No? Lets get a bit more controversial. What about a pagan?
I am a Pagan. I will announce that loudly and proudly if ever asked. The only reason I’ve not posted it on here before is that I respect the barrier of fashion and religion. Just because I know and respect the boundries does not mean I’m not going to wear a triquatra or, heavens forbid in my bible belt home, an pentacle with my Lolita. Lolita is part of me. Paganism is part of who I am. The writer, the Cherokee. These are all equal parts of me. If I want to wear a pettit coat with a pentacle and feathers, then I should have the right to without being told I look ugly. Fashion, Lolita specifically (in my opinion), is supposed to be something to bring people together. If the lovely lady above didn’t wear her head dress, nor I my pentacle, nor a Jewish girl her star, nor a Christian girl her cross, could we not all admire a new print or lace quality? Why should a piece of cloth, a necklace, a pendant, a belief, why should it stop us from incouraging eachother and being together as Lolitas?
Just My opinion. Have an arguement? Comment. Nothing rude please. If you disagree feel free to say so politely.
❤
Princess Raelynn

*Though/Question of the day*
Why does it seem the Lolita community is so catty?

It’s kind of hard to say, but for as long as I’ve known of the fashion I’ve been interested in wearing it myself. It’s nice to feel pretty and dress in a way to make yourself feel special, putting on a jumperskirt is almost therapeutic to me.

What do you like to wear when not in Lolita?

I wear loli almost daily, but if I’m taking a day off then I am usually dressed in something appropriate for the tropical climate that I live in. I mostly wear shorts, tank tops and flip flops as they help me to keep cool in the heat. Either that or you’ll find me in pajamas.

Are you in school? If so what is your major/grade?

I’m currently a junior studying at a university in Florida. My major is musical theatre and I just can’t get enough of it. Although I love my classes I’m excited to graduate so that I can start auditioning for productions!

What would you say are your “non-lolita” hobbies?

Outside of loli I have an awful lot of hobbies! I have been reading tarot cards for years and absolutely love it. I frequently do readings for my friends and am constantly looking for new spreads. Besides that I am a total bibliophile so my nose is always stuck in a book. I spend an awful lot of time writing songs, singing and making up alternate lyrics to popular hits. And I just adore playing violent, zombie themed video games!

What kind of music do you enjoy?

I have a very eclectic taste in music, the only genres I dislike are rap and hip hop. I love to sing opera and show tunes but I’d rather listen to swing, pop or synth pop when I’m in a happy mood (Lady Gaga and La Roux are my current favorites). If I’m just sitting around reading then I love to put on relaxing music like Feist or Michael Buble. When I feel romantic I listen to Gorillaz, when I’m cooking I like to put on Elvis, and when I’m getting ready for a fun night out my artist of choice is Michael Jackson!

Books?

It is very difficult for me to answer this question without writing a book myself! I love almost all kinds of fiction ranging from historical romances to sci-fi, but I have a particular soft spot for stories about women from different cultures written in first person. One of my favorite authors is Lisa See, both Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, and Peony in Love are heart wrenching and wonderful. I also love Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden (I was so shocked when I realized that the book was written by a man), The Time Travelers Wife by Audery Niffenegger, The Princess Bride by William Goldman and The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde. I have never been able to get into many fantasy novels though, something about them really puts me to sleep!

What do you think is the least Lolita about you?

The fact that I do not prize modesty the way that most girls in our culture seem to do. I think that the human body is a beautiful thing and I don’t see the need to cover it up with long sleeves and long skirts unless the weather is painfully cold. To me a nude body does not automatically imply sex or sexuality, so I rarely feel any urgency to wear long socks or blouses under my jumperskirts.

Any final words?

Live for yourself and the people you love, never limit your happiness!

In lolita, it seems, there’s such a fuss over brand. I admit it, I’ve even kicked myself for not having a single piece of brand. But to be honest, I don’t like many brand as much as I do off/indie. I like Meta and Victorian Maiden, but I also like Dear Celine and Rose Melody. This isn’t to say I don’t like AP, Baby, etc. because I certainly do, I just don’t like them as much. Perhaps I prefere off-brands because you don’t see their items as often, which makes them unique. I also think they have less complicated design and work less to please the world. Perhaps I’m just a silly, out of the norm Loli, but that’s just how I feel. Now, because I’m bored, I’m gonna post some of my favorite dresses, etc.
❤
Princess Raelynn

<<HERE>>
I really like the gauzy look of this one. Looks almost Nymph or Fairy princess-y 🙂

<<HERE>>
If you look at the fabric in the bigger pics it’s just so cute! Almost emo-cons!

Miss Lumpy, the lovely wonderful lady, has agreed to take part in this series! I’m so happy and grateful for this chance to talk to her and learn more about her! I could go on and on about this wonderful woman, but I don’t want to show bias, because all the ladies who are participating are magnificent, so I’ll let her survey and blog speak for itself! The last thing I’ll say before the interview begins is THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH!!!

^^I’m impressed^^

What inspired you to wear Lolita?I’ve always had a total obsession with beauty. It’s like a drug, really – I am completely head-over-heels for beauty, and therefore it’s always been important to me to impart the beauty ideal I currently identify with. Right now, and for the past four or five years, that image has been through creating an image compliant with lolita fashion. I participated in a documentary last summer, and I got a lot of snickers for saying that lolita makes me feel like I am “channeling all the beauty in the universe; …this is what I was created to look like…” but for me that’s just crazy-hippie-speak for “At this moment, there is no higher beauty that I can strive for. If I make myself look like this, it is in accordance with what is proper for me at this stage in my life; this is the image I should give to my current body, mind, and soul.” I guess I really am a lifestyler through and through.

What do you like to wear when not in Lolita?Well, most of the time, if I’m not in lolita it’s because I’m at work! My current favorite store for non-lolita clothing is Express because it’s so comfortable business-casual-y. As for other times (say I go out with my boyfriend and want to make sure he doesn’t start a fight because of the snickers I get in lolita, or to class where the puuf gets squished into desks), I wear anything that speaks to me – I like jeans just as much as I like party dresses, mori-girl just as much as mainstream fashion.
Are you in school? If so what is your major/grade?I am! I took time off between high school and college, so right now I am a second-semester sophomore. I’m majoring in English with a tentative minor in Creative Writing: Poetry. I’m considering changing minors, though, maybe to art or history. I don’t plan on doing anything with my degree because I don’t know any graduates who are, so I’m majoring in my longest love affair to date – the English language – because I can’t imagine studying anything else.
What would you say are your “non-lolita” hobbies?As many people say, my lolita hobbies and my everyday hobbies definitely meld together… however, I would say my major non-lolita hobby is hooping, as is evident in my picture. I have some mysterious, undiagnosable health issue that make it very difficult for me to exercise due to fatigue and breathing problems, so hooping is great because it’s low-impact (I don’t usually break a sweat or get winded) but still a great workout. As far as other interests go, I am avidly interested in healthand find alternative diets such as veganism and vegetarianism to be hugely fascinating. I also love reading and writing, which leads to my main hobby of blogging – I guess for me that’s technically a lolita hobby, though!

What kind of music do you enjoy?Whenever anyone asks me this question, I say “anything pretty.” By that I mean that I’m interested in anything that I find exemplifies my ideal of beauty (hippiehippiehippie)… Lately I’ve been listening to Iron & Wine almost non-stop, punctuated by The Decemberists and Lady GaGa. Some music I can never get enough of is Jack Johnson, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Emilie Simon, Regina Spektor, as well as some more “hardcore” stuff like Nine Inch Nails and Mudvayne – you gotta have some good angry music for days when pretty little piano ditties just don’t cut it!Books?Have pity, you’re asking an English major what kind of books she likes! Well, I love poetry – my current favorite poet is Langston Hughes, hands down, without any doubt, though e.e. cummings is up there too; I’m a sucker for modernism. I like fantasy, but to be honest I prefer stories of real life that have fantastic or historic elements to them. For example, I just finished A Collection of Beauties at the Height of Their Popularity, which is a collection of short stories about a group of friends in the late 80’s – however, the entire novel is written like a Japanese “pillow book” and the Floating World of the Tokugawa-era Japan is a common theme throughout.

What do you think is the least Lolita about you?I think lolita is defined by the person, so to be honest, I don’t think there’s anything non-lolita about me! Haha, but that’s a cop-out. I’d probably say my road rage – most of my friends are pretty terrified to get in the car with me! Just ask Victoria Suzanne 🙂

Any final words?

Confucius said “Everything has its beauty, but not everybody sees it.” In my life, lolita and non-, the first and foremost thing to me is the pursuit of beauty. Without beauty, there is nothing – no love, no hope, no happiness. This is the driving principle that rules my life: beauty is flighty and difficult to catch, but the fight to seek it is worth it. If you want to know anything about me, that is the most important ♥

What inspired you to wear Lolita? I really found it by accident while searching my life long interest, the Victorian Era. I love the fashion of the time, the life style, the arts, and especially the etiquette. I mean, now I can dress in Victorian style, look good doing it, and not have everyone thing I’m from a renaissance fair! YAY!

What do you like to wear when not in Lolita? I usually wear jeans, but I’m trying to break that habit in favor of slacks and casual but nice tops, rather than tee shirts. I also love sun dresses!

Are you in school? If so what is your major/grade? Yes, I just finished up my 11th grade year in High School! Senior next year!

What would you say are your “non-lolita” hobbies? Hmm, I suppose video games. I love to play Oblivion and DDR, as well as others. I also have a strange fascination with card games, though since the Alice movie I think Lolis have picked cards up (again, maybe.)

What kind of music do you enjoy? I really like anything except hip-hop, rap, and screamo. I really like Miranda Lambert, Selena Gomez, Demi Lovato, Linkin Park, and Shinedown.

Books? I really like romance books, historical fiction, and books about mythical creatures (vampires, werewolves, valkyrie, witches, etc.) My favorites are the House of Night Series, the Immortals After Dark Series, and the Vampire Academy Series.

What do you think is the least Lolita about you? My speech and my eating habits. I have the tendency to not be very nice when I talk, threatening is my biggest problem, though I can sound like the stereotypical loli at times. My eating habits are also not very loli. Most lolis I know try to take care of their bodies and eat healthy, I don’t. I don’t eat the stereotypical sugar all the time, but I eat potato chips and fast food ALL THE TIME!!

Any final words? Uh sure, whether I’m in lolita or I’m not, I am who I am and that doesn’t ever change. There so much more to girls then the clothes they wear, and I am no exception.

I’m sure we all have blogs we turn to in need of inspiration or perhaps we follow them closely. While I certainly love to read the blogs of others, the fashion tips, the photoshoots, the newest items bought, I believe we tend to forget these girls are actual humans with actual lives, aside from Lolita. We read their tips and thoughts on Lolita, but do they not go to school? Work? The grocery store? Do they not get sick? Sure we read their “about me,” but they usually just give style, name, perhaps some loli-able activities they enjoy. Usually nothing about school or work or what they do other then Loli. I often find myself getting frustrated that this or that blog hasn’t updated recently, but I always try to stop myself and say, “They have something going on in their life. School or work or non-internet friends” (Gasp, I know! Non-internet friends? What are those?) That’s why I’d like to start a small series per say. A series of posts about girls, lolis, with blogs. Essentially a series of questions, answered hopefully truthfully, about normal life. Just to get a glimpse of the girl behind the fashion. Granted loli is a big part of this girl, whether she’s in the clothes or not, but there is more. If anyone would like to volunteer to do this with me, that would be wonderful. I also plan to ask some of the girls from the larger, more popular, blogs if they will play along. But the first to go up, will be me. Why ask them to do it, when I haven’t? Look foward to that sometime soon.
On that note I’ll be off to hang with my non-loli friend. XD Oh and harrass the pizza man of course!
*kisses*
Princess Raelynn

Recently I’ve been looking at and thinking about that lovely Miss Caro-chan’s“Confessions…” post. And in this thinking, I’ve decided to make my own list of “Lolita Confessions.” This is not to say that I am ashamed of these, but they do go against the “norm” of lolita.

I like to show more skin then most. I, of course, wouldn’t do this to a meet up, unless it seemed appropriate, but I don’t like to wear blouses all the time. With JSKs or strappless OPs, I prefer to let my shoulders show. This may come from the fact that in the Sunny South, the less clothes mean the cooler you are.

I don’t always wear a petit coat. Most of the time I do, but not always. Sometimes I find they get in the way and can be itchy.

I don’t do my hair or wear hair bows. Granted sometimes I do, but most of the time I prefer to simply let my hair lay however it wants. Sometimes I’ll put in a barrett or ribbon, but straight or pig-tail braids are more common for me.

Very few of my skirts or dresses were intended to be worn as lolita. This isn’t to say that the petit coats don’t work with them, it’s simply that they were made to be flowy and loose. Mostly American brands.

I wear flats more than anything. I’m not one for crazy shoes. I’m clumsy enough on the ground, I don’t need farther to fall. Plus, I despise heavy shoes!

I’m positive I have many more, but those are the ones I can think of right now. Do you have any lolita confessions you’d like to share? Maybe we can all find a kindred spirit!
*kisses*
Princess Raelynn

I am nearly positive my fellow lolis, at least some of us, share a love for poetry. Have you ever read a poem and thought of a perfect coordinate? Or perhaps you saw someone’s lovely outfit and thought of a poem? As I’ve been recently reading some of my favorite poems, I’ve been thinking. Possibly I could make coordinates inspired by these poems. One specifically is “The Rose Family” by Robert Frost. A romantic poem. I believe it lends itself to a coordinate. Perhaps I’m insane, but aren’t we all at times?
*kisses*
Princess Raelynn